Pure genius
10 Dec 2009
Fourie du Preez has established himself as the finest player on the planet.
Rugby genius. The concept is not easily defined, and should you arrive at a suitable definition, finding players who meet all the criteria is rare. It’s a relative concept, certainly, but there are attributes which are absolute. Fourie du Preez lists some of those when I ask him what he would define as genius.
‘It’s a player who reads the game and makes the right tactical decision 99% of the time after assessing the situation,’ he begins. ‘That said, you get some sharp decision-makers who don’t have the skills to execute what they see in their mind. Geniuses are able to do both, and their ability is amplified by the fact that they’ve studied their opponents.
‘Then there’s the issue of consistency. To be considered a genius you have to be able to deliver high-quality performances week in and week out against high-quality opposition.’
Du Preez has inadvertently described himself. To fully appreciate his genius you have to consider that he’s played at the height of his powers for most of what has been the most taxing season of his career.
Going into the end-of-year Tests, he had played 1 853 minutes of rugby in 2009 – the equivalent of around 23 matches – against the majority of the world’s elite players and teams. Not once has he looked like an impostor in such illustrious company. In fact, seldom have big-name players looked as ordinary as they have when pitted against the irrepressible Du Preez.
He has, however, omitted a couple of absolutes in search of a proper definition.
Geniuses have an aura about them that penetrates the opposition’s psyche, galvanises their team-mates and drives those men to a level of performance they may not have known possible. They also have the ability to change the course of a game, as Du Preez exhibited in the Super 14 and Currie Cup finals.
There were six decisive moments over the course of those 160 minutes. Du Preez was involved in all of them.
It was his try, birthed from a quick tap, against the Chiefs that signalled the start of the most emphatic performance by a team in a final in recent history. He then followed that up with another five-pointer to take his side into the lead, before threading through the most perfectly weighted grubber for Bryan Habana to score and seal the result.
To underline his aptitude for high-pressure matches, he mesmerised the Cheetahs at Loftus, directing the Bulls’ classic symphony with the skill of a master conductor – the build-up featuring an expertly executed cross-kick which sailed to the unmarked Francois Hougaard, a divine piece of handling to scoop the ball off his boot laces and send Habana away for a try, and the crescendo – a deft, looping kick into vacant space which Habana chased down to virtually assure victory.
‘I’ve seen enough talented players fold in finals or high-pressure games to know the difference between the genuine article and a pretender to genius,’ says former Wallabies, Brumbies and Reds coach Eddie Jones, who worked closely with Du Preez during their preparation for the 2007 World Cup and at the tournament itself.
‘Fourie has no equal as a scrumhalf in world rugby. No one is even remotely close. And although it’s hard to say who the best player on the planet is, because roles differ so greatly from position to position, I think if you were to consider a couple of candidates, you’d have to provide some pretty conclusive and strong arguments if you chose anyone but him.
‘The very best players in the world are those who give you an eight out of 10 performance for 80% of your matches in a season. I’d suggest Fourie is probably higher than that percentage-wise. George Gregan had some sensational seasons in the time I coached him, but he never came close to what Fourie has offered the Bulls and Boks in 2009, especially considering the amount of rugby he’s played and the intensity and pressure of those games. Just unbelievable, mate.’
Du Preez has, at times, looked like he was reading the game in a Matrix-type code, not dissimilar to the manner in which Keanu Reeves’s character in the sci-fi blockbuster did, and he seemed to have the ability to supernaturally elevate his spirit and make tactical decisions based on information attained via an aerial view of the action.
‘It’s definitely been my best season ever,’ says Du Preez, confirming what many astute commentators have acknowledged. ‘The 2007 season was a great one for me personally, but this season I’ve felt like my game has shifted to a different level.
‘I’m more mature now, with none of the insecurities I had in the past, and I know my game, my strengths and weaknesses, inside out. It helps that I’ve been playing in winning teams and with great, experienced players around me.
‘Last year wasn’t particularly memorable for me,’ Du Preez continues, lamenting a season where the Bulls and Springboks were infuriatingly mediocre. ‘I struggled for form at some stages, so I appreciate what it’s like to be back in the groove now.
‘Those things that weren’t going for you when you were struggling, suddenly do. You try things that were failing and they come off. You start reading the game better, seeing spaces in the opponents’ defensive line or areas you can kick in to that aren’t marked. It just all fell into place for me this season.’
Du Preez is less analytical than team-mate Victor Matfield, who studies lineouts with religious devotion. He relies more on experience and instinct. In preparing for matches, he spends the bulk of his time looking at how his opposing scrumhalf defends around the scrum and ruck fringe. The rest, he says, comes naturally.
Jones once told the media that former Wallabies flyhalf Stephen Larkham had the ability to read how a passage of play would unfold two phases ahead, and would be prepared when it did. Du Preez humbly denies that he has such foresight, an assertion some would disagree with, but concedes that his positional sense is the facet of play that he has made the biggest strides in.
‘I play more on feel than I do relying on pre-match analysis,’ Du Preez explains. ‘When I’m out on the field I get a sense of what my opponents are likely to do and try to position myself accordingly.
‘It’s not that hard, we play against the same guys every year,’ he adds, again displaying the now familiar trait of self-deprecation. ‘So I wouldn’t make too much of it. I’m just like any other player, really.’
However, with every touch kick fielded and accurate counter-kick launched, every box kick that is suspended in the air just long enough for the chasers to contest and every punt that rolls into touch in an attacking position, every snipe around the blindside that leaves the opposition bewildered and every zinging or popped pass that finds its intended target, Du Preez’s claim to mere mortality is rejected.
‘He’ll never admit to it, but those of us who work with him know that he is a once-in-a- generation player,’ says Bulls backline coach and former Springbok wing, Pieter Rossouw.
‘There’s nothing you can teach him technically because he’s the complete player, and he’s also so strong mentally. When he isn’t around, the Bulls and Springboks don’t have the same threat. That’s not a criticism of the second-choice players in that position, it’s just that Fourie is a special, special player.’
A special player the Bulls and Springboks have to start contemplating life without. Having won all he can with those teams, Du Preez admits that he is thinking about challenging himself afresh.
There is, of course, no shortage of European suitors wanting to ensure that the next phase of his career plays out in their club’s colours. His contract with the Bulls ends in October 2010, and he hasn’t yet made a decision about whether or not he will continue playing in South Africa. Losing a player of his quality would be the equivalent of losing an organ in the human body. Functioning would be adequate for survival, but you wouldn’t be firing at optimal potency.
‘I have a big decision to make in the next couple of months,’ Du Preez says, driving home the possibility that South African rugby could lose one of the jewels in its crown.
‘I have to weigh up whether I want to have a chance of defending the World Cup in 2011 or whether I should move on. I’ve spent my whole life in Pretoria, next year will be my 10th at the Bulls, and I feel like I have to get out of my comfort zone. I don’t want to be stuck in the same routine for the rest of my career.’
Du Preez, however, rejects the suggestion that his departure would see a dramatic capitulation of his teams.
‘If the succession planning is right I don’t think that would be an issue,’ he argues. ‘Sure, there’ll be a rebuilding period for the Bulls and Boks because I don’t think many of the senior players in those sides will continue to play beyond 2011, at least not in South Africa. But we have some special young players in this country.
‘Francois Hougaard [Du Preez’s understudy at the Bulls] is one of those, and I think he’ll be the Springbok scrumhalf for a long time. There are others like him in different positions. So if we plan well, there’s no reason to think it will all fall apart because we have an abundance of class youngsters.’
Class is a widely available commodity in South Africa. The genius that is Du Preez is a scarce one. Let’s appreciate and celebrate that we’ve seen genius in our generation.
By Ryan Vrede
– This article first appeared in the December issue of SA Rugby magazine. The January-February issue goes on sale next week.
411 Comments
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10 Dec 2009, 22:22 pm
@Slappes:
was talked into coming back in 1976 or 1977 – can’t remember exactly.
had been in the merchant navy for 3 years already so was very unfit to start.
but we had a great bunch and enjoyed it.
10 Dec 2009, 22:25 pm
Robzim, lol in my dreams Piet G! Charo just doing it for the fun and love of the game. Also to bliksem those southern suburb moffies.
10 Dec 2009, 22:29 pm
I meant to say Oupa Charo.
10 Dec 2009, 22:36 pm
@Slappes:
when i have a beer with you one day let’s see how quickly you come out with “oupa”
10 Dec 2009, 22:37 pm
@Slappes:
Die manne was tough in die ou dae when it was still a gentleman’s game
You landed on the wrong side of a ruck and it was just studs all over you – the next day your back was “pimpel and pers”.
Charo will know.
10 Dec 2009, 22:44 pm
@Robzim:
my first game was against vd stel (are they still going?) in stellies.
most of the ous were ex wp.
fark me – what an intro to club rugby in wp.
got taken out early at a 22 drop out by the biggest dutchie i had ever seen.
but we beat the ********!!!
10 Dec 2009, 22:46 pm
Charo
Rob, yeah you okes were rof, and the refs allowed it. These days the locks dont bind to the props. Crouch, prop and hooker makes space and the lock just swings! out of sight.
10 Dec 2009, 22:49 pm
Charo, yeah Van der Stel still exists. Theyre still dirty as hell.
10 Dec 2009, 22:54 pm
@Slappes:
old trick.
used to do it at school in practice against the 2nds.
their hooker was a doos of note.
always broke out in a fight.
one day the head was watching.
we all got 6 the next morning.
10 Dec 2009, 23:03 pm
@charo:
Most hookers are doos’ of note.
All the rejects from Stellenbosch University RFC used to play for Van der Stel in the late 70′s and early 80′s.
They were not good at rugby, but brilliant at brawling and their after party’s were epic.
Those were good days.
10 Dec 2009, 23:03 pm
right boys, my connection has now got rigor mortis.
too painful to watch a page download.
chat later
10 Dec 2009, 23:07 pm
I see the boys are gently strolling down memory lane in their zimmers…
10 Dec 2009, 23:09 pm
Gunther,
paddleskis and zimmers!
10 Dec 2009, 23:13 pm
@Slappes:
I don’t now the padleskis … are they polish?
10 Dec 2009, 23:13 pm
All nostalgic on a Thursday night with the festive season and holidays approaching. Thank god for that.
10 Dec 2009, 23:14 pm
@SodaJoe: caught it on the news, not pretty…well not if you’re fond of heat. -20C is snow joke
10 Dec 2009, 23:17 pm
@Robzim:
yep its been a long slog and thats just the rugby…
10 Dec 2009, 23:17 pm
Gunther, nah I think their zimbabwean.
10 Dec 2009, 23:21 pm
Rob, yeah now the shopping madness starts. Though i just love CT over the festive season.
10 Dec 2009, 23:25 pm
@gunther:
@Slappes:
See u guys later, long day tomorrow, but soon the break!
10 Dec 2009, 23:29 pm
Ja Skopdrol.
I could make a ****** out of you, but why should I take all the credit?
10 Dec 2009, 23:33 pm
Some titbits about Skop.
Somebody hollers “Hoe Down” and his girlfriend hits the floor.
He can’t get married to his sweetheart because there’s a law against it
His toilet paper has page numbers on it
10 Dec 2009, 23:40 pm
Have you noticed when somebody disagrees with Skop, he calls them names more fittingly describing his own behaviour?
10 Dec 2009, 23:49 pm
@graeme1:
64. graeme1 :
December 10th, 2009 at 9:18 am
that is one thing about you colonialists you always become personal when you realize you are talking sh@t. the entire sa bok team will be pulvirized in the world cup unless they put 14 balck players on the filed because you whites should rather go to the WWF because that is all you can do good wrestle. stop playing the man and play the ball. i think whites are one dimensional thikers in general, that is why sports like rugby are not for them. they asre pretty much useless at it. they think and act like robots, have been tryig to perfect this so called structured appraoch for the past hundred years now finally when nz and aus temas are in a re building phase, this appraoch has some success and suddenly you are the best in the world wake up you will neve defend that wordl cup, you bloody stupid pale faces, suffering from this deranged mental illness that in for most part uncurrible called an inflated beliet in their own abilites. nothing but a superiority complex that smells like sh@t, thast mental illness can be smelled runnign from you ears and i am gettig the stench through my laptop. i cant wait for malema to become president so we can make like my uncle bob, and clenase africa from your greedey slimy infectious, sludgy, one dimensional, overated, superioity complexed, lack of pigmentation, not from africa, boere and rednecks.this is africa for africans this is not europe, i think your brain cells are still struggiling to acclimatize to our weather that why you thiking smells like dog sh@t. we wil eredicate you dont worry about that…!! remenber there is no more madelas left for you!!! only zumas and malemas. and much more pdv’s ricky’s, adi’s and the likes!!!!! ah this i sso nice, please reply, i would like to hear from your, sewage dumps so i can call enviro services to clean you up. up yours!!!!!
Seems like we have another Langenhoven freedom fighter character around with a huge chip on his shoulder evident from his posts.
What a racist plonker.
11 Dec 2009, 00:18 am
@wooden spoon: Boet he’s a (probably white actually) wind-up merchant. Honestly – probably white.
But where are you now bud?
11 Dec 2009, 01:48 am
@graeme1: Ricky is too fat and black.
And you are too dumb you one dimesional racist twat.Why don’t YOU highlight some weakneses of FdP and JdV? Huh? Whats that? Because there are none? TOSSER! If you don’t understand the game, then dont trawl blog sites pretending to know anything about it. I can think of a few examples right now of Adi’s poor defence. Can you?
Rather go and attend a black power meeting. They need you because its just a matter of time before a coloured is voted in as president because the black ones are to DUMB to make a success of the country.
*******.
11 Dec 2009, 02:03 am
@SjamBok: Shimmie. Come on. You’ve been punk’d, scroll maar aan.
11 Dec 2009, 02:31 am
I agree with Skop. The last time I’ve seen FdP play like a genius was against England in pool stages of World Cup 07. I watched the repeat of the BIL tour and lost count after first few mins of just how many times FdP kicks possession away. The thing about FdP is his up ‘n unders always lands about 2 metres ahead of our chasers making it perfect for the opposition to counter-attack. Its nauseating to watch!
Stop the up ‘n unders now
11 Dec 2009, 08:32 am
yawn !!!!He’s good but this is all a bit much. He’s a very good player with a lot of BMT. Who would’nt if they we beyond any criticism from some quarters? He deserves IRB player of the year though and not Richie, just as much as Pdv deserves coach of the year. Lions series and 3N, come on.
11 Dec 2009, 11:45 am
can just laugh at you chaps getting upset about this graeme chap.karoolander and namakwalanner are the same person namely pietman and since he appeared again the nick stealing also started,this graeme chap is probably just pietman.he is trying to be clever,deliberately making spelling errors and this karoolander chap seems to be very fascinated with skoppie as well as rosseneri aka hater. ilooked in on rt last week and read how pietman informed his mates that he was posting on keo again ironically on the same day these wonderful nicks started to appear on keo.
11 Dec 2009, 12:01 pm
Graeme,
I hate to say this but I am a coloured guy the same as you. That is the last time I am going to mention that, so let us ALL leave colour out of rugby…please!
11 Dec 2009, 17:43 pm
I doubt Graeme is of colour. Did not respond to Xhosa, Zulu or Sotho.
11 Dec 2009, 19:15 pm
@SjamBok: lol.graeme is really that idiot pietman but kudus to him for affirming the fact that you are the real racist **** on this site.
11 Dec 2009, 22:21 pm
@Valkyrie:
bit rich coming from you boet
11 Dec 2009, 22:29 pm
So, let me see if I got this right…
Daniel Carter will forever remain the greatest player to run on any rugby field, no matter where, all because of a Lion’s back in ’05? Granted, he had some good games before that, after it too, but still?
Think the criteria to lable any player “pure genius” would be the effect and influence he has not just on the players around him (read John Smit & MCaw), but on the actual game itself. Hence Carter’s Legendary status. Applying that same criteria, RWC ’07 would be FdP’s ‘Lion Series’, if you get my drift. He was good before that, simply awesome during that WC, dreadfull the yr after and back to his best in 2009.
So in my mind, there is absolute no question that FdP is/was the best player on the planet, bar none, for the last 3 seasons. 2008 can seen as a hangover. Quite understandable, actualy! Furthermore, the day Carter can hang a WC medal in his lounge, is when he can be forgiven mediocre showings. Untill then…FdP is the complete player. Pure Genius! He showed it when it mattered in Paris! What happened in Cardiff?
11 Dec 2009, 22:35 pm
Oh btw…I don’t always say this. Most of the time, I get shown the door for going the other way. Phew! This is hard… OK…here it goes!
Nice article Ryan!
11 Dec 2009, 23:23 pm
@BokiNZ:
mate, your kiwi neighbours are going to come down on you within seconds.
dive for cover
12 Dec 2009, 00:23 am
@charo: Let them come! All hot air realy!
Nah honestly, have you ever heard a kiwi say 1 bad word against either MCaw or Carter for the last 4 yrs? Chances are…you’ll be hard pressed. You’ll be equally hard pressed finding more than 5 Saffas giving anyone of their players their same unwavering support!
Now, these 2 blokes are (I’d like to say were but bit too early maybe…) of the best around. Certainly in their respective positions (read FdP – check). Whereas they had huge influence on the outcome of games in the past, of late I would not go as far as say inconsequential but certainly not gamebreaking…OK Carter has won them all the Bleddie Low matches this yr (kiwi’s, I beg you to differ!) but that is to be expected, being a goalkicker. Such was his non-contributions in the other facets of his game (again…read FdP – check)! If I’m allowed to spin it…FdP’s mediocre ’08 season for both franchise and Boks actualy accentuates his importance and gamebreaking ability as shown by the 2 outstanding seasons on either side of it! There…tear it apart if you must!
12 Dec 2009, 00:26 am
@BokiNZ: And of cause the Bulls and Boks’ subsequent showing for that yr. As in 2008
12 Dec 2009, 00:28 am
@BokiNZ: For me, his performance in November 2004 in Paris was even better.
22 year old flyhalf orchestrated total and utter annihilation of France.
By the way, I do not consider Carter as a legend. A bit too early for that. The same applies to Fourie du Preez.
12 Dec 2009, 00:36 am
@BokiNZ: “as shown by the 2 outstanding seasons on either side of it!”
I slightly disagree.
2007
S14 – very good
3N – poor
WC – very good
2008
S14 – poor
3N – poor
November Tests – good
2009
S14 – very good
BIL – average
3N – very good
Novermber Tests – poor
12 Dec 2009, 00:39 am
@Nils: Wasn’t saying FdP a legend either. What I AM saying is HE IS THE BEST PLAYER CURRENTLY and has been for the last 3/4 seasons.
Carter ’04…maybe, but Lions ’05 much bigger occassion. Basically, he single-handedly beat the best of the British. OK, the fact that BOD got double-teamed didn’t help, but will forever remain a mystery if he would’ve had anything to say to Carter in such sublime form. Which brings me to FdP…Similar performances (although different position) in both the WC and S14 Final. Therefore this article, in my mind is just deserves!
12 Dec 2009, 00:44 am
@Nils: Now dissect Carter’s track record since Nov ’04 (as a courtesy) till now and see if you can come up with game after series, after yr of brilliant performances like that? Think ’05 has been Carter’s climax and it’s been all downhill from there, Cardiff being the low. Which means there can be another high…not 2011 though
12 Dec 2009, 00:54 am
after the bok/pom pool game in rwc2007, i said that fdp had taken over the mantle of worlds best rugby player from chris latham.
up to then latham was the best against allcomers.
since rwc2007, dan the man has been brilliant but overall fourie du preez has been the standout rugby player on the planet (sorry for using overboard kiwi adjectives)
12 Dec 2009, 00:54 am
@BokiNZ: “Think ‘05 has been Carter’s climax and it’s been all downhill from there, Cardiff being the low.”
I would not say so. He has many very good games with Crusaders in 06 and 08. And not so few very good games with the ABs, including some notable thrashings of South Africa when he shined.
Likewise, FDP shined in many games for the Bulls and Boks.
As for the FDP best for last 3/4 seasons, well, he shone till 3N, he was poor thereafter.
For that matter BOD shined more this year, as he was very good from the start till the end of the season, captaining the only unbeaten team this year.
For me, BOD is player of the year.
12 Dec 2009, 00:59 am
@BokiNZ: “Cardiff being the low. Which means there can be another high…not 2011 though.”
You know, he went off injured. But I agree, this was low indeed. As for 2011, write them off freely, no problems.
12 Dec 2009, 01:02 am
@BokiNZ: I’m off, it’s deep night here, cheers and have a good day!
12 Dec 2009, 01:16 am
@Nils: BOD? Nah! Definitely not! Good as he may have been for Ireland, he needed to take a Bok scalp from the Lions tour to have achieved that. One of the better performers for the yr? Sure! Player of the yr? No! Mind you…so was the player that ended up with accolade! But…I’ll leave you be! You already in for a sleepness night, just for me saying that! Hope I didn’t re-open any scars/wounds re Cardiff? For that reason I bid you a peacefull nite!
Cheers mate
12 Dec 2009, 01:24 am
@charo: uhmm…agree, if not with the incumbent at the time. Think Carter had the crown still firmly fitted on his brow up to then. But you right about the kiwi superlatives…more their media than the man on the street, but even so. Have you noticed that any other team or player that could be making such claims, becomes then “arguably”…? Or one of the…Would’ve been comical if it weren’t so annoying!
12 Dec 2009, 11:44 am
@charo: don’t call me boet ,you white racist ****!do you get it!
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